Hello there, I’m Krysa. Mother, photographer and founder of Journey Family Photography.
I love nothing more than capturing that flame within each of us, the one that fuels our passion, purpose, and of course, love. It all started as a child when I discovered a beat-up tin filled with family photos, steeped in nostalgia and hidden away in my grandparent's linen cupboard. Inside, I found black and white portraits of relatives I had only heard stories about. As a first-generation Australian, these were the faces of uncles, aunts, and cousins I had never met, but felt I knew so well. Their stories were like my own memories, shared lovingly by my family.
I dreamed of capturing moments as significant as the ones in that tin. From a young age, I saw myself as a storyteller, documenting the big moments in history, making a difference, one photo at a time. A girl with her camera, on a mission to save the world—my dreams were a tad ambitious haha. When I received my first camera—film, of course—my life changed forever. I cherished each click, counting down the frames, savouring the anticipation of that perfect shot. As I entered my teenage years, my camera collection began to grow. My sanctuary was a tucked-away antique store, where cameras were piled like relics of time. The owner, easily in his 80’s, knew the intimate details of each camera—which ones worked, what needed fixing—he even took the time to show me how to breathe new life into them. I was captivated by the textures and hues of film and the thrill of uncertainty—whether the photos would emerge as masterpieces or major flops.
Then, as the digital age approached and film faded, my parents generously gifted me my first DSLR for Christmas. I had just turned 16, and the world was already asking me what I wanted to do with my life. It reaffirmed what I already knew—I wanted to be a Photographer. With my new camera in hand, I had a big dream to capture the world. As I graduated high school and applied for university, I looked into photography courses, but imposter syndrome began to creep in. Instead, I pursued an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design and Advertising, but my camera was always close by. While I loved design, the urge and drive for photography was always present, a constant hum in the background. My photography style and approach wasn’t something I was taught—it was born out of my own curiosity and love.
Friends and family embraced my passion for capturing memories, and they often entrusted me with their most treasured moments. Engagements, elopements, and the magical journey into parenthood. Then I experienced a major shift of my own when I became pregnant, I felt an indescribable creative fire within me. It was time to turn my dreams into reality and share them with the world. Photography could no longer be just a hobby—my desire for it had grown too strong to ignore—and that "now or never" feeling wouldn't go away. So I pushed aside those lingering doubts, and over the next nine months, Journey Family Photography bloomed. Alongside my growing belly, my dream job took shape. It had taken a lifetime to plant, nurture, and care for this seed, and suddenly, it had sprouted into existence. Just like its namesake, this journey was a necessary step for me to grow and learn, so that when the time was right, I had the tools to tell stories and create memories like the ones in that well-loved tin.
I often think about my younger self, and I know that little Krysa would be so proud of all the things we have achieved. We stayed true to who we were and what we wanted in life, and sure, there were a few wrong turns along the way, but within them were valuable lessons. Without those experiences, I wouldn't have the knowledge and expertise to build a successful brand and pursue my passion for preserving memories.
The journey so far has been a wild one, I’m so grateful to be a part of it and continue to push myself to do more and do better. But most importantly, I want to make sure that anyone who comes across my path has a warming, down-to-earth experience. For myself, every day is a chance to create enduring memories, connect with nature’s wild and live a healthy, fulfilled life.
With gratitude and love,
Krysa xx